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[SIZE=+2]Kings' Adelman says Artest won't head to bench[SIZE=+2]
[/SIZE] [/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Web Posted: 04/27/2006 12:00 AM CDT
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[SIZE=-1]Mike Monroe
Express-News Staff Writer[/SIZE]
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Reminded that Gregg Popovich changed his starting lineup in the Spurs' first-round series against the Nuggets last season after a Game 1 loss, benching Manu Ginobili for Brent Barry, Kings coach Rick Adelman was asked Wednesday if he might consider a similar move.
After all, the Kings had much better offensive movement without Ron Artest in their Game 2 loss Tuesday than they did with Artest in Game 1.
Might Artest, who was serving a suspension Tuesday, come off the bench Friday at Arco Arena, with Kevin Martin again getting the start?
"No," Adelman said, "but tell 'Pop' that if he wants to bench Ginobili again, I think that's a real good idea. And tell him he should probably bench Tony Parker, too."
Ginobili and Parker, the Spurs' starting guards, have combined to score 89 points in the series' first two games.
Adelman said he barely slept after the heartbreak of his team's 128-119 overtime loss at AT&T Center on Tuesday. Each time he began to nod off, he said, he got another flashback of Barry's 3-point shot with four seconds to play in regulation.
During one of those flashbacks, Adelman said he decided to bring his players together at their practice facility near Arco Arena on Wednesday "to talk about mindset." Workouts were optional, but most Kings did some shooting. Artest was there, said Adelman, trying to regain his focus.
Martin played well Tuesday, and Adelman said he likely would play him earlier, and more often, through the duration of the series.
But, Adelman said, "I don't think I'd change (the starting lineup) now. We need some stability. But Kevin is the guy I want to get on the floor more, more so than anybody else."
Artest was not on the practice court when reporters were allowed into the practice facility after Wednesday's meeting and workout. Adelman said he intends to tell Artest how important it is for the Kings to maintain the offensive movement so evident Tuesday. He knows Artest might be overly intent on making an impact after having to sit out Game 2.
"I'll talk to Ron," Adelman said. "He has to stay within the flow. He's going to continue to come out and be a factor. He's just got to trust his teammates. Hopefully, that's what he's going to do."
The kind of ball movement the Kings had Tuesday, including movement in transition, is especially important against the Spurs.
"The Spurs and Pistons lock in on what you're doing better than any teams in the league," Adelman said. "If you don't take it to a second option, you're going to be in trouble."
The Kings all understand they will be in big trouble if they lose Game 3.
"Of course, we'd like to win both these games here," said Martin, whose 26 points would have made him one of the heroes of Game 2 had the Kings held on, "but Friday is a must-win. We can't do down 0-3. I don't think we can count on being the Boston Red Sox against that (Spurs) team."
The Red Sox, of course, dropped the first three games of the 2004 American League Championship Series before winning four-straight games, capturing the American League pennant, and then winning the World Series.
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[/SIZE] [/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Web Posted: 04/27/2006 12:00 AM CDT
[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Mike Monroe
Express-News Staff Writer[/SIZE]
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Reminded that Gregg Popovich changed his starting lineup in the Spurs' first-round series against the Nuggets last season after a Game 1 loss, benching Manu Ginobili for Brent Barry, Kings coach Rick Adelman was asked Wednesday if he might consider a similar move.
After all, the Kings had much better offensive movement without Ron Artest in their Game 2 loss Tuesday than they did with Artest in Game 1.
Might Artest, who was serving a suspension Tuesday, come off the bench Friday at Arco Arena, with Kevin Martin again getting the start?
"No," Adelman said, "but tell 'Pop' that if he wants to bench Ginobili again, I think that's a real good idea. And tell him he should probably bench Tony Parker, too."
Ginobili and Parker, the Spurs' starting guards, have combined to score 89 points in the series' first two games.
Adelman said he barely slept after the heartbreak of his team's 128-119 overtime loss at AT&T Center on Tuesday. Each time he began to nod off, he said, he got another flashback of Barry's 3-point shot with four seconds to play in regulation.
During one of those flashbacks, Adelman said he decided to bring his players together at their practice facility near Arco Arena on Wednesday "to talk about mindset." Workouts were optional, but most Kings did some shooting. Artest was there, said Adelman, trying to regain his focus.
Martin played well Tuesday, and Adelman said he likely would play him earlier, and more often, through the duration of the series.
But, Adelman said, "I don't think I'd change (the starting lineup) now. We need some stability. But Kevin is the guy I want to get on the floor more, more so than anybody else."
Artest was not on the practice court when reporters were allowed into the practice facility after Wednesday's meeting and workout. Adelman said he intends to tell Artest how important it is for the Kings to maintain the offensive movement so evident Tuesday. He knows Artest might be overly intent on making an impact after having to sit out Game 2.
"I'll talk to Ron," Adelman said. "He has to stay within the flow. He's going to continue to come out and be a factor. He's just got to trust his teammates. Hopefully, that's what he's going to do."
The kind of ball movement the Kings had Tuesday, including movement in transition, is especially important against the Spurs.
"The Spurs and Pistons lock in on what you're doing better than any teams in the league," Adelman said. "If you don't take it to a second option, you're going to be in trouble."
The Kings all understand they will be in big trouble if they lose Game 3.
"Of course, we'd like to win both these games here," said Martin, whose 26 points would have made him one of the heroes of Game 2 had the Kings held on, "but Friday is a must-win. We can't do down 0-3. I don't think we can count on being the Boston Red Sox against that (Spurs) team."
The Red Sox, of course, dropped the first three games of the 2004 American League Championship Series before winning four-straight games, capturing the American League pennant, and then winning the World Series.
Link
